HC Deb 23 January 1996 vol 270 cc120-1W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what international co-operation and research the United Kingdom Government have been involved concerning the operation of a national DNA database; and if he will make a statement. [9892]

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 22 January 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Forensic Science Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Dr. Janet Anderson to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 23 January 1996: You recently tabled a Parliamentary Question about international co-operation and research concerning the operation of the National DNA Database. As you know, the arrangement now is that the Chief Executive of an Executive Agency, with the agreement of the Minister, replies to Members of Parliament on operational matters. I am therefore replying on behalf of the Forensic Science Service. The National DNA Database was launched in April 1995. The DNA technique used for the Database, Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)., was pioneered and developed by the Forensic Science Service (FSS). Following extensive peer review, a test system using STRs was successfully introduced into casework. The technique was chosen for the Database after a pilot study commissioned by the Home Office. The FSS work on STRs is now being taken forward internationally and I have set out some details below. FSS has engendered and maintained close contacts throughout the world. It was at the forefront of the foundation of the European DNA Profiling Group (EDNAP) whose members now include representatives from virtually all European countries. The work of EDNAP is focused on STRs. The FSS takes a leading role in the direction fo forensic testing in Europe through this group orchestrating collaborative trials and studies. This in turn helps to enrich the FSS research programme. FSS Scientists are regular guest lecturers in North America, Australia and Asia. These talks help to assure that their work is subjected to the widest possible peer review. It is a measure of the quality of the most recent advances, which have tended toward simultaneous analysis of highly discriminating tests, that the philosophy and indeed the particular test systems have been adopted by countries throughout the world.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost of launching and operating the national DNA database; and if he will make a statement. [9893]

Mr. Maclean

[holding answer 22 January 1996]: The total cost of launching the national DNA database and the cost of its first year of operation, 1995–96, are forecast to be £3.2 million.